The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters
Metascore
83 out of 100

Universal acclaim - based on 23 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 22 out of 23
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 23
  3. Negative: 0 out of 23
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  1. Chicago Tribune
    Reviewed by: Scott Schueller
    100
    Gordon's documentary proves better than 90 percent of the manufactured stories out this summer. One can breathe a sigh of relief that it was done right and not cobbled into another bad fictional comedy.
  2. Film Threat
    Reviewed by: Pete Vonder Haar
    100
    It’s not just one of the best documentaries I’ve ever seen, it’s one of the best movies I’ve ever seen. Period.
  3. Entertainment Weekly
    Reviewed by: Owen Gleiberman
    100
    A funny and madly arresting new documentary.
  4. Village Voice
    Reviewed by: Robert Wilonsky
    100
    It's all true--every magical, exhilarating, infuriating, dumbfounding, jaw-dropping second of Gordon's miniature masterpiece.
  5. Baltimore Sun
    Reviewed by: Michael Sragow
    91
    This film about fierce competition among classic video-game players is a comic action epic in documentary form. It captures fear -- and heroism -- in a handful of dusty video games.
  6. The A.V. Club
    Reviewed by: Keith Phipps
    91
    Gordon's feature directorial debut mostly stops being about video-game obsession and turns into a film about what it takes to make it in America.
  7. New York Magazine (Vulture)
    Reviewed by: David Edelstein
    90
    Very entertaining (and doesn’t overstay its welcome) but it’s a little depressing to contemplate.
  8. New York Daily News
    Reviewed by: Elizabeth Weitzman
    88
    Heartbreaking and hilarious.
  9. TV Guide
    Reviewed by: Maitland McDonagh
    88
    Like "Air Guitar Nation," the stranger-than-fiction cast of characters is fascinating, and their high-stakes machinations are nothing short of mind-boggling.
  10. Boston Globe
    Reviewed by: Wesley Morris
    88
    A portrait of two different men whose compulsion for Donkey Kong is hilarious.
  11. Premiere
    Reviewed by: Eric Alt
    88
    If you don't play at all, you may find yourself enjoying this film more than anyone, because you'll at least get all the laughs with none of the cringing self-recognition.
  12. Portland Oregonian
    Reviewed by: M. E. Russell
    83
    One of this year's funniest movies -- and its most inspirational sports drama -- is a documentary.
  13. Salon.com
    Reviewed by: Andrew O'Hehir
    80
    Ultimately Gordon's movie becomes both a hilarious story about an unbelievable collection of arrested-teenage morons and, yes, an inspiring fable of persistence and redemption. I haven't mentioned this movie's fabulous addition to the English language yet, so here it is: the verb "to chumpatize."
  14. L.A. Weekly
    Reviewed by: Luke Y. Thompson
    80
    It may seem overblown when one of the gamers calls Donkey Kong a metaphor for life, but The King of Kong is just that -- a reminder of how we all have to prove ourselves to others, and the extent to which the odds are often stacked against outsiders and newcomers.
  15. Los Angeles Times
    Reviewed by: Kenneth Turan
    80
    Obsession creates its own fascination, and never more so than in King of Kong, a sprightly new documentary that's as compulsively watchable as the vintage video game it focuses on is addictive.
  16. The New York Times
    Reviewed by: Matt Zoller Seitz
    80
    The movie’s “Rocky” formula proves irresistible anyway; unsurprisingly, New Line has commissioned Mr. Gordon to remake this story with actors.
  17. Austin Chronicle
    Reviewed by: Marc Savlov
    78
    Pure, goofy fun.
  18. Rolling Stone
    Reviewed by: Peter Travers
    75
    Who would have guessed that a documentary about gamers obsessed with scoring a world record at Donkey Kong would not only be roaringly funny but serve as a metaphor for the decline of Western civilization?
  19. Chicago Sun-Times
    Reviewed by: Roger Ebert
    75
    A documentary that is beyond strange, follows two arch-enemies in their grim, long-term rivalry, which involves way more time than any human lifetime should devote to Donkey Kong.
  20. Miami Herald
    Reviewed by: Connie Ogle
    75
    A nuanced study in obsession, dedication, manipulation, ethics and how the all-American need to be the best at something -- anything -- can shape a life.
  21. New York Post
    Reviewed by: Kyle Smith
    75
    Not since "300" have I seen such manly mano-a-mano-ing as the iron clash of wills in the docu mentary King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters.
  22. San Francisco Chronicle
    Reviewed by: Peter Hartlaub
    75
    As impressive as it is geeky. Most of the principal characters look like they haven't seen daylight since "Pac-Man Fever" was on the charts.
  23. Washington Post
    Reviewed by: Ann Hornaday
    40
    It's a depressing little kingdom, even when Gordon tries desperately to goose the drama with the requisite "Eye of the Tiger" riffs and some junior high-level palace intrigue.

User Reviews

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User Score
9.1 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 61 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 29 out of 29
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 29
  3. Negative: 0 out of 29
  1. DarkToonLink
    9
    The King of Kong is an excellent documentary. It portrays an engaging story and the director should be praised for how well the audience is positioned during the movie. Many great scenes, and wholly recommended.… Full Review »
  2. JumperM.
    10
    A fine movie! Who thought documentaries could be so good? Complete with champions, villains and nerds. Very nicely done.
  3. LevelsAndGear
    10
    "King of Kong - A Fistful of Quarters" - One Line Review!

    The one word review would be amazing, but even if you aren't into video games, this     documentary is incredible - There's some controversy after the making of it, but it's so funny and so good - Everyone should check it out. Available on Netflix' instant queue!
    http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/king_of_kong/    … Full Review »
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